Beautiful weather (well, one really hot day), more than $500,000 raised for Nevada County youth, highly-attended arena events, and several community partnerships made for a successful 2015 Nevada County Fair.

More than 91,000 people attended this year’s Fair.

More than $825,000 was generated on Treat Street by local non-profit organizations. Proceeds raised will allow local non-profit organizations to provide vital services to our community.

The Ag Mechanics Auction, featuring 50 custom items handmade by Bear River and Nevada Union FFA students, raised approximately $53,000 for these students.

Two hundred and thirty five animals were sold at the Junior Livestock Auction, grossing more than $463,000 for the youth of Nevada County. This year, there were 584 bumps on 235 animals, which is an average of 2.5 bumps per student. A bump occurs when a buyer offers additional money to the price of the animal, as a benefit to the student. That’s a supportive community!

More than 3,600 students and educators attended Wednesday’s Scholar Student Day.

Almost 11,000 attended the Fair’s five arena events – the Flying U Extreme Rodeo, Monster Trucks, Tuff Truck racing, and the Rotary Club-sponsored Destruction Derby. The arena events sold out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night!

Sunday’s special promotion of “Five Until Five,” brought 5,600 visitors to the Fair, and coupled with paid attendance after five, saw more than 15,000 visitors on that day.

In the Special Events Tent on Saturday, 11 people – including mother/daughter team, Holly and Lydia Panter – donated hair to Locks of Love.

This year’s Fair included more than 7,040 exhibits from our community, including 500 photos in our Instagram Contest and almost 30 entries in the new Recycled Fan Art category.

One week prior to opening day, the Fair partnered with BloodSource, The Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions Club, Story Club, NEO, Nevada County 2-1-1, and Sierra Harvest, to offer Community Involvement Day – a day to donate items to these non-profit organizations, while also receiving free tickets to the Fair. As a result of this day, 107 blood donors were registered and 88 pints of life saving blood were collected; more than 700 books were collected (and 100 were given away); garden tools and supplies were collected; 1,800 pounds of food (enough to feed 45 families of 4 for one week) were donated; enough school supplies were received to provide for 20 families; more than $600 worth of crafts were donated to NEO; and 343 prescription eye glasses and seven hearing aids were donated.

More than 225 vendors and concessionaires participated in this year’s Fair.

The Fair teamed up with local libraries on their summer reading program and provided carnival ride tickets as prizes to children who read during the summer. During Fair time, more than 150 coupons were given to young readers in our community.

Seventy three business sponsors partnered with the Fair to provide valuable services – like free shuttle rides, materials for the special contests in the Special Events tent, shavings for the sale ring, and free drinking water.

The Fair partnered with Nevada County’s agricultural community for the sixth year to create Ag-Sperience, an area devoted to education in local agriculture.

“Our community is what makes this Fair so special – and successful,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fair. “We thank our customers and our community partners for making this year’s Fair a success, and for their ongoing support of this Fair and the Fairgrounds.”

It’s Nevada County Fair time – and we’re excited about the 2015 Fair and its theme of “Catch the Fair Bug!” This year’s Nevada County Fair, August 12 – 16, is held under the shade of the tall pine trees in Grass Valley and is the perfect opportunity to listen to musical entertainment, eat delicious food, enjoy carnival rides and games, visit barns full of animals, and see thousands of exhibits – all in a community-friendly environment.

There’s so much to see and do at this year’s Fair. We’ve got the Bug Zone (with cock roach races and bug tastings), an extreme rodeo, the 22-foot Spider Zone, and the Newlywed Game on the Pine Tree Stage. Don’t forget a visit to Ag-Sperience, the Hay Bucking contest, a zip line across The Green, nightly karaoke, and several livestock competitions.

Long-time crowd pleasing events will soar into the Fair’s arena Wednesday through Sunday evening. There’s the Flying U Extreme Rodeo happening on Wednesday and Thursday evening; Friday and Saturday night features Tuff Trucks and Monster Trucks; and Sunday night features the popular Destruction Derby. All arena events begin at 7 pm.

Enjoy ongoing, musical entertainment at one of the outdoor stages. This year features a variety of music – pop rock, country rock, traditional country, Chicago-style blues, jazz, traditional and contemporary bluegrass, rockabilly dance, and rock and roll. Barbershop quartets, hula dancers, and Michael Mezmer’s TranceNosis Comedy Hypnosis Show will be featured on the various stages.

For more fun, enter one of the special contests held daily in the Special Events tent. There’s a Cell Phone Photo Scavenger Hunt, an Instagram contest, a Duct Tape Art Challenge, a Live Art Battle, Create a Litter Bug contest, a Scrapbook Page Layout Contest, “Minute to Win It” fun, a Just Dance Contest, Build A Bug Snack, and nightly karaoke. No pre-registration required – just show up and have fun. Details for contests are available on the Fair’s website.

A visit to the Fair wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Treat Street. It is here that you’ll find an array of delicious foods and drinks – pasties, tacos, corn on the cob, beer, tempura zucchini, baked potatoes, nachos, hamburgers, corn dogs, caramel corn, and more – all while supporting local, non-profit organizations.

For the best deals, purchase your tickets before the Fair begins. Tickets are on sale now and advanced sale discounts are available through August 11 at 5 pm. To purchase tickets, visit NevadaCountyFair.com, stop by the Fair Office, or call the Fair Office.

Join us at this year’s Nevada County Fair, August 12 – 16, and find out why we’ve been voted as the “Best Community Event” for 13 years in a row. The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley.

This year’s Nevada County Fair features a full line up of excitement and loud, crazy fun in the arena each night. Wednesday and Thursday night features the Flying U Extreme Rodeo, Friday and Saturday night features Tuff Trucks and Monsters Trucks, and Sunday night is the return of Rotary’s Destruction Derby.

The Flying U Extreme Rodeo, produced by Cotton Rosser and Flying U Rodeo, returns to the arena on Wednesday and Thursday night with cowboys, bull riding, wild horse races, motorcycle riding, and a parachutist. Mutton Bustin, where young cowboys and cowgirls get the chance to hop on a trusty sheep and head for the thrill of their young lives, is scheduled during the event on both nights. If you have children interested in participating in Mutton Bustin, please visit the Fair Office. New this year, on both nights, will be a Coin Dig. Sponsored by A to Z Supply, the Coin Dig, features 100 gold coins buried in the arena, and children 10 years and younger in the audience will be invited down to the arena to dig for the coins. The cost to attend the Flying U Extreme Rodeo is $6.

On Thursday and Friday night, it’s Tuff Trucks and Monster Trucks, produced by S. Miller Paving, Inc. Loud trucks, racing, and car jumping make up for this fun evening. Ticket price also includes a Meet and Greet from 5:30 – 6:30 on both nights, so you can go visit the arena floor and meet the drivers. The cost to attend the Tuff Truck and Monster Truck show is $12 for adults, and $8 for kids 12 and under.

On Sunday, it’s the crowd-favorite Destruction Derby. The popular Derby is locally produced by five of Nevada County’s Rotary Clubs – The Rotary Club of Nevada City, Rotary Club of Nevada County South, 49er Breakfast Rotary of Nevada City, Penn Valley Rotary, and Rotary Club of Grass Valley. Watch as drivers put their cars to the ultimate test and crash, smash, and ram other vehicles while trying to keep their own vehicle running! It’s demolition at its best. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids 12 and under.

All arena events start at 7 pm. For tickets to the Fair’s arena events, visit here.

At this year’s Nevada County Fair, August 12 – 16, there are exciting contests and activities happening each day of the Fair! Here are just a few of the fun contests planned for this year’s Fair.

New this year is the LIVE Art Battle on Saturday from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. Artists of all ages will have 20 minutes to create a painting, and then the audience will vote for their favorite. All supplies provided.

With the “Catch the Fair Bug!” theme, we have lots of fun “bug” contests – Building A Bug Snack, where Fair-goers can create an edible bug out of yummy food on Wednesday at noon; Make and Take Bug Crafts on Wednesday at 2 pm; Create a Litter Bug from recycled items on Thursday at 3 pm; and Make a Bug Puppet on Friday at 2 pm.

If you love creating with Duct Tape, don’t miss the Duct Tape Art Challenge. Kids and adults will have 30 minutes to create an item or thing. Some tape will be available for use; however, if your project requires specific colors/patterns or supplies, please provide. Happening on Friday; kids contest at 3 pm; adults 3:45 pm.

How about a scavenger hunt using your cell phone? Find a partner and join the fun at the Cell Phone Photo Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday at 3 pm. At check- in, contestant teams will receive a scavenger hunt list, and teams will have 45 minutes to find and photograph with their cell phone as many of the items on the list that they can.

Bel Capelli Salon is sponsoring Locks of Love on Saturday from noon – 2 pm. Donate your hair to help provide a hairpiece to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Bel Capelli Salon stylists will be available to assist with the hair donation process, as well as to cut and style your hair for free.

Love Instagram and love taking photos? Take a picture or two with your phone for the Instagram Contest while visiting the Nevada County Fair, and submit it to Instagram using #fairbugpics. There will be daily winners!

There are no entry forms for most events – just show up 15 minutes early at the Special Events Tent and get ready to play. Lots of fun and great prizes!

For additional details and a complete list of special contests happening at the Special Events Tent, as well as a list of all the daily activities, visit our website at NevadaCountyFair.com or call 273-6217.

The Foothill Lions Club, as well as Bob and Debbe Peterson, have been named the 2015 Blue Ribbon Award recipients by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry, to recognize those who support their local Fair and continuously contribute to the quality of the Fair. The Foothill Lions Club is recognized for its ongoing support of the Fairgrounds, and for their partnership with the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation in producing the annual Cioppino Feed. The Petersons, owners of Lazy Dog Confections, are recognized for their devotion to the Fair and for fostering positive community relations.

Since its inception as a club, the Foothill Lions Club has been an avid supporter of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. They have always focused on fundraisers for the Fairgrounds, as evidenced by the spaghetti feed fundraiser to the annual Cioppino Feed to benefit the Fairgrounds Foundation. The Cioppino Feed, which was inspired by the Foothill Lions Club founder, Arnie Romanello, has grown into a partnership project between the Club and the Fairgrounds Foundation. The majority of the Club members devote their energy in the kitchen, creating delicious Cioppino. It’s through their volunteerism that tens of thousands of dollars have been raised by the Foundation to support the Nevada County Fair. The Foothill Lions Club also runs the arena beer booth during the Fair and Draft Horse Classic.

“The Foothill Lions Club feels honored and privileged to receive the Blue Ribbon Award from the Nevada County Fairgrounds,” said Jack Kuhwarth, President of the Foothill Lions Club. “Our club feels that the Nevada County Fairgrounds is an integral part of the community that brings all factions of our society together in its various events. We thank them for this honor.”

Bob and Debbe Peterson, creators and owners of Lazy Dog Ice Cream, have been quality purveyors on the Nevada County Fairgrounds and within our community for many years, providing exceptionally delicious ice cream throughout the summer during large outdoor events at the Fairgrounds. Patrons regularly gravitate to the lovely pink Lazy Dog stands, seeking delicious ice cream treats. The Petersons also serve their ice cream during the annual Fair and the Draft Horse Classic; and, during the Country Christmas Faire, they create a festive holiday gift booth filled with delicious candies and chocolates.

The Petersons, who were “absolutely stunned” to receive the Blue Ribbon award, have been making ice cream bars and candy since 1982, and at the Fair for 28 years.

“Over the years it has truly been a pleasure to work with the Petersons,” said former Fair CEO Sandy Woods. “Their energy has been boundless, and I am thrilled that they are being honored for their marvelous spirit, their love for the Fairgrounds, and for their impressive business venture, Lazy Dog Ice Cream.”

Members of the Foothill Lions Club and Bob and Debbe Peterson were recently recognized in private presentations.

One week prior to opening day, the Fair partnered with BloodSource, The Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions Club, Story Club, NEO, Nevada County 2-1-1 (in partnership with PARTNERS Family Resource Center), and Sierra Harvest, to offer Community Involvement Day – a day to donate items to these non-profit organizations, while also receiving free tickets to the Fair.

As a result of this day, 107 blood donors were registered and 88 pints of life saving blood were collected, more than 700 books were collected (and 100 were given away), garden tools and supplies were collected, 1,800 pounds of food (enough to feed 45 families of 4 for one week) were donated, hundreds of dollars in school supplies were received, more than $600 worth of crafts were donated to NEO, and 343 prescription eye glasses and seven hearing aids were donated.

We love that so many families and friends return to the Fair year after year! How long have you been attending the Nevada County Fair? Or, is this your first year? Post a comment on our Facebook page, and we’ll randomly choose a few winners to receive a free admission ticket.

John and Teresia Renwick have been named to the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame. The Fair’s Board of Directors recognized the Renwicks for their long-time service and dedication to the Nevada County Fair.

John and Teresia have had a long history with the Nevada County Fair, beginning in 1995, when their children, Chrissy and Brandon, were active exhibitors as members of Meadowlarks 4H Club. Both John and Teresia were leaders in Meadowlarks, and contributed many hours to the Fair. John volunteered his expertise and labor on numerous livestock projects, and he also contributed to major renovations on the Meadowlark’s pasties booth.

Teresia’s poultry passion and expertise has supported the poultry exhibit for many years – from being the Poultry Superintendent to currently serving as the Fair’s poultry health inspector. For many years, Teresia was the producer of the Happy Valley Youth Rabbit and Poultry Show and donated the proceeds from the show to purchase equipment for the small animal exhibit and to help make improvements to the Fair’s small animal exhibit.

The Renwicks have been buyers at both the Junior Livestock Auction and the Ag Mechanics Auction for decades. John has actively participated at the Junior Livestock Auction as a ring man; and, each year, the Renwicks host and prepare a special barbecue for the Ag Mechanics buyers during the Fair. Their company, RE/MAX Performance Real Estate, sponsors numerous youth awards, as well as the setting up of the video monitor during the auction.

In addition to being supporters of the Fair, the Renwicks are avid supporters of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation. Teresia serves as the Secretary of the Board, and is the Chair of the Cioppino Feed. At the annual Cioppino Feed, John volunteers his auctioneer talent and has helped raise thousands of dollars at the event’s auctions to benefit the Foundation.

“We love the small town feel of our Fair and the beautiful surroundings,” said Teresia. “We also love that when Fair time rolls around it’s like an annual family reunion.”

When asked about their favorite memory of the Fair, both John and Teresia agree that it was camping on the hill during the Fair with their kids and being woken every morning by the pigs getting their morning bath.

John and Teresia, who were named the 2002 Fair Family of the Year, have been married for 28 years. They have two children, Chrissy, 27; and Brandon, 23. In 2013, they purchased the RE/MAX franchise for Nevada County and are busy growing the company. They are also active in numerous other community organizations, including the Greater GV Chamber of Commerce, the South Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Animal Save, Nevada County 4-H, Bear River and Nevada Union FFA, and Interfaith Food Ministry. Additionally, John donates his auctioneering services to local non-profit organizations.

“This is such a huge surprise for us to be chosen for induction into the Hall of Fame,” said Teresia. “We never expected such an honor. We participate because it is so much fun to help and be a part of such a great organization.”

“The Renwicks are a remarkable family, with great enthusiasm and dedication to the Fair,” said Sandy Woods, retired CEO of the Nevada County Fair. “Their ongoing passion and commitment to the Fair have benefitted many, and have greatly contributed to the success of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This is a well-deserved honor for the Renwick family.”

The Renwicks will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremonies on Wednesday, August 12.